Back-Pinning Probe

A test instrument includes a set of probes. Here we will look at back-pinning probes!

In a back-pinning probe, also know as back probe, its needle is made to push into some type of connectors from the back, making it possible to measure while the connector is connected. 

These probes are essential for probing today’s small, fragile connectors. Since a back-pinning probe is very sharp, it slides past connector seals with ease.

Thus these nifty little needle probes are the perfect electronic accessory when a quick and easy test connection needs to be made without piercing the wire insulation.

Another probe in this category is the Piercing Probe (see below).

The trick is that a tin needle can cut through the isolation and contact the conductor inside. When the probe is removed the hole will basically close itself. This makes it possible to measure on wires without stripping or cutting it and without locating the ends of the wire.

The small diameter and extra sharp pin of a piercing probe (insulation piercing probe) makes it ideal for piercing the insulation on small gauge wires where traditional piercing tools might cause damage.

Generally, a piercing probe has a needle or multiple needles that pierce the wires outer insulation jacket to access the wires internal conductor for testing. By activating the needle(s) upon wire contact, diagnostic testing is able to occur as an instant connection is created to the test and measurement instrument.

Below you can see the image of Pico Technology's Back-Pinning Probe Set ⪫

Note that back-pinning probes and piercing probes are mostly for automotive electric/electronic system diagnosis.

These special probes obviously make non-invasive testing perfect for hard to reach wires and also eliminates the time consuming and destructive nature of strip or cutting wire to access the conductor for testing.

Further Info ⪫ https://e-z-hook.com/blog-guide-to-back-probe-connectors/

More on this later. Thanks for reading!